Wedge Awnings

Not every awning needs to retract. Some buildings want clean lines, permanent cover and no mechanics. A wedge awning delivers exactly that.

The wedge is the oldest and most proven awning shape in South Africa. An angled canopy projects from the wall on a fixed frame, shedding rain forward and blocking direct sun. No motors. No cranks. No moving parts to service. It sits there and does the job, year after year.

For more awning types, see our complete awnings range.

Who Wedge Awnings Are For

Period Cottages and Heritage Homes

Knysna’s older neighbourhoods along Thesen Island, Belvidere and Leisure Isle are full of cottage architecture where a retractable system would look completely out of place. A wedge awning suits the proportions. It sits neatly above windows and doors, adds character to a stoep and protects interior furnishings from UV without changing the building’s personality. Many of these homes have non standard openings where nothing is quite square, which is exactly why we manufacture custom frames at our Knysna workshop rather than ordering off the shelf.

Restaurant and Cafe Frontages

Wedge awnings are the classic choice for restaurant and cafe frontages along the Garden Route. They define the entrance, shelter outdoor tables from sudden showers, and give the building a finished, professional look. The broad face panel can carry tasteful signage or your logo, turning the awning into a branding element that works around the clock. We have installed wedge awnings at restaurants and hospitality venues across Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and the wider Garden Route.

Retail Shopfronts

Boutiques, galleries and retail spaces use wedge awnings to protect window displays from sun damage, shelter customers at the entrance and create street presence. The fixed structure means your shopfront always looks deliberate and put together, rain or shine.

Residential Stoeps and Entrance Doors

A wedge awning over a front door or side entrance keeps rain off the threshold and provides shade for that transition zone between indoors and out. On north facing stoeps it blocks the worst of the afternoon heat without closing off the view.

Why Fixed Beats Retractable for These Applications

Retractable awnings are brilliant for large open patios where you want the choice of sun or shade. But for windows, doors, shopfronts and smaller stoeps, a fixed wedge is often the better answer.

See the full awning comparison guide for more detail on each type, or explore folding arm awnings and louvred awnings if your space calls for something adjustable.

Materials and Construction

Every wedge awning we install is manufactured at our Knysna workshop. The frames are welded from marine grade aluminium and powder coated for corrosion resistance in coastal conditions. Stainless steel fixings anchor the structure into the building’s substrate.

For the canopy you choose between two fabric types depending on your priorities:

• Solution dyed acrylic for vibrant colour retention and UV resistance. Breathes slightly, reducing heat buildup underneath. Best for residential use and areas where appearance matters most.
• PVC coated polyester for maximum rain protection and durability. Completely waterproof when tensioned correctly. The preferred choice for commercial frontages and exposed coastal sites.

Both fabric types resist mildew and colour fading in Garden Route conditions. Colours and patterns are matched to your building. Neutral tones for heritage properties, bold stripes for cafe character, solid colours for clean commercial frontages.

Side panels can be left open for airflow or enclosed for extra shelter. We design for wide openings too, joining frames for continuous coverage across shopfronts or wrapping around corners.

Manufactured in Knysna, Not Imported

This is where Custom Blinds differs from companies selling catalogue awnings. We do not order flat pack kits. Duncan measures your site, we fabricate the frame to your exact dimensions at our workshop, and our team installs it.

This matters most on older buildings where nothing is standard. A heritage cottage on Thesen Island might have a doorway 50mm wider on one side than the other. A restaurant frontage might wrap a corner at an unusual angle. We build for what is actually there, not what a catalogue assumes.

The Process

1. WhatsApp Duncan a photo of your space with rough measurements
2. On site visit to confirm dimensions, mounting substrate, wind exposure and fabric choice
3. We manufacture the frame and prepare the canopy at our Knysna facility
4. Professional installation by our in house team, typically completed in a single day

Pair With Outdoor Blinds for Full Enclosure

A wedge awning covers the top. Add outdoor weather blinds or drop down blinds on the sides and you create a sheltered zone that handles wind and driving rain as well. This combination is popular with restaurants that want to keep outdoor seating usable through winter, and with homeowners who want a protected stoep without the cost of a full louvred system.

We plan mounting points for side blinds during the awning design so everything integrates cleanly.

Care and Maintenance

Wedge awnings are about as low maintenance as outdoor products get. In coastal areas:

• Rinse the fabric regularly with fresh water to remove salt and dust
• Brush with mild soap and a soft bristle brush for stubborn marks
• Check mounting bolts and wall fixings once a year
• Keep nearby branches trimmed to avoid contact with the canopy
• Avoid sharp objects near the fabric surface

With proper care a wedge awning can last 10 years or more before the fabric needs replacing. The aluminium frame lasts considerably longer. Read our full guide on how to clean and maintain your blinds, shutters and awnings.

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ Garden Route’s independent blinds, shutters, awnings, automation and security specialists since 2010. Serving Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Buffalo Bay.